by Mary Stewart, 1976 “bistered” lilies – bistered means brown “yesty” waves – yesty not in my dictionary Bryony Ashley’s father dies after being hit by a car. Bryony returns to England from Funchal, Madeira. She returns to Ashley Court, the mansion with a moat and a maze that has been in her family forever.
Category: Mystery
Death in Berlin
by M.M. Kaye, 1955 Miranda Brand goes to Berlin with cousin and his wife, Stella. Soon is involved in murder of Brigadier Brindley, who told story of stolen diamonds. Then the governess is murdered. Turns out it was Stella – she was going to murder Miranda – jealousy and wanted money. Miranda and Simon Lang, […]
Turning Angel
by Greg Iles, 2005 Penn Cage solves the murder of Kate Townsend, 17 year-old high school girl having an affair with Dr. Andrew (Drew) Elliott, Penn’s best friend. Grew up together in Natchez, MS. Full of bad stuff: drugs, sex, crime, UGH. No more books by him.
The Amazing Mrs. Pollifax
by Dorothy Gilman, 1970 Laurie recommended. Great, fun book. Wonderful characters and action-packed spy story set in Turkey. Emily Pollifax, elderly lady, works for CIA. Goes to Turkey to rescue an old CIA agent, Magda, and ends up exposing a traitor, Dr. Belleaux, and boosting the courage and confidence of a young Englishman, Colin (whose […]
Death in Kashmir
by M.M. Kaye, 1984 (Adam home this day for Thanksgiving!) Not as good as her other books but still good. Janet Rushton is murdered on ski slopes of Kashmir. Sarah Parrish gets involved in the mystery. Ends up being Hugo – dear old Hugo! He is going to kill Sarah on the houseboat on Lake […]
This Rough Magic
by Mary Stewart, 1964 Lucy visits her sister on the Isle of Corfu. A dolphin swims with her – she and Max save it, fall in love, solve the mystery of the near death of Spiro and the death of Yanni (not a main character). What beautifully written details – the walk down through pine […]
Tears of the Giraffe
by Alexander McCall Smith, 2000 Mma Ramotswe finds out what happened to an American young man 10 years ago. Mma Makutsi takes a case–doesn’t seem to turn out as wonderfully as Mma Ramotswe’s. Mr. J.L.B Matekoni adopts 2 children.
The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency
by Alexander McCall Smith, 1998 Gentle read about Mma. Ramotswe and her beloved Africa – Botswana. She opens a detective agency with the money from the cattle her father kept. She solves mysteries for clients and friends. Really, really interesting and smart! Sweet, sweet tales.
Death in Cypress
by M. M. Kaye, 1984 Wonderful mystery set on the Isle of Cyprus in the 1940’s. Loved the characters of Steve and Amanda. Love story intertwined in a mystery. Amanda is young, beautiful, and stays with Miss Moon in Kyrenia in the Villa Oleander. One person is murdered in the drawing room after another was […]